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Ryan Butler will be “Fishing for Dreams” at the 2018 Bassmaster Classic

January 26, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/26/2018

Ryan Butler will be “Fishing for Dreams” at the 2018 Bassmaster Classic

Ryan Butler will be raising funds to support the Catch-A-Dream Foundation

Starkville, MS

Ryan Butler, a 36-year old angler from Blue Eye, MO, will be fishing with a higher purpose in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Butler, who won the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off in December, is sponsored by Wilson Combat, the leading innovator in high-performance, custom 1911handguns, tactical long guns and accessories. Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, the Classic will be held March 16-18, on Lake Hartwell at Greenville and Anderson, S.C.

“As a young child, out fishing with my dad and grandpa, I dreamed about this opportunity. Thanks to the tremendous support and commitment of family and friends, this dream has become my reality,” Butler shared. A devoted family man, Ryan knows the impact that time spent on the water or in the woods can have on a child and an entire family. “I have a passion for fishing and for helping others. My new hope is to now take this opportunity I have been blessed with and use it to make other people’s dreams come true.”

As Ryan considered how to seize this opportunity in the Bassmaster Classic to truly make a difference, it was important to partner with a credible national charity like Catch-A-Dream that places emphasis on our youth, the outdoors, and upon a message of real hope. Ryan sums his mission up nicely. “I wanted to partner with an organization that shares the same values and resource ethic as all of us in the outdoor sport and industry, and that ALL of us, from anglers to fans to sponsors, can wholeheartedly support. This is it! This is a project on which we all can ‘weigh-in’ together and we can make a strong statement about our dedication to our sport, our professions, our families and to those children and families who “desperately need to know that hope does, indeed, exist.”

The Catch-A-Dream Foundation has granted over 620 life-changing hunting and fishing experiences to children with life threatening and terminal medical conditions since its inception in 2000. “We have 2 goals,” he said; “Raise at least $100,000, which will fully fund 20 child trip experiences, and to provide the opportunity for one child and their family, not necessarily a Catch-A-Dream child, the opportunity to attend the 2019 Bassmaster Classic with backstage access and all expenses paid. This, in itself, would be a once in a lifetime experience for one young fishing fan and their family!”

“We are humbled and excited to be partnered with Ryan, Wilson Combat, and the entire fishing industry in this unprecedented project,” said Dr. Marty Brunson, CEO for Catch-A-Dream. Brunson, who was named 2008 Person of the Year by the Fishing Industry Youth Initiative added “We have a longstanding relationship with the bass fishing community, and obvious common ground with the shooting community, so we look forward to bringing those two groups together for a common cause!”

“We created an easy to use platform for this project,” adds Butler. Simply text the keyword BASS to 71777 or visit catchadream.org/ryanbutler to make your tax deductible donation. It’s convenient, easy and completely secure. “The support and encouragement from my sponsors, especially Wilson Combat, has been tremendous during this journey.” Butler’s challenge: “Join my sponsors and me, and together, let’s make a difference!”

“My son had a dream come true that I would have never been able to have given him.” Mother of 16 yr old boy

All the folks involved, including Brian and Jay, made the dream an experience of a lifetime!! The entire time Kristyn was treated like a “queen” and the rest of the family was taken care of as well!
– Mother of 15 yr. old girl

"This was honestly the most wonderful experience we have ever had! We were made to feel so special and welcome. My son getting his buck was just the icing on the cake. Fishing and exploring and making new friends was fantastic."​
– Mother of a 12 year old boy

“It will be a memory that will last a lifetime. Our family will never be able to express our appreciation for what this meant to all of us.
– Mother of 17 yr. old

"Catch-A-Dream is truly awesome. They made my grandson's dream come true this week. We are so grateful and thank each & everyone. God Bless you all!"
– Grandmother of 14 yr old boy.

“My son had a dream come true that I would have never been able to have given him. We made friends that we will never forget...
- Mother of a 16 yr. old boy

"The folks from Catch-A-Dream are great!!! My son got to participate in a deer hunt several years ago. Mr. Marty and the other folks at Catch-A-Dream will become like family. The memories that they gave my son are priceless. Keep up the great work guys."
– Father of a 9 yr. old boy